Wirds an readin

Whit is the average readin speed?

A meta-analysis reckoned the average adult silent readin speed in Inglis as 238 wirds per minute for non-fiction and 260 for fiction. Thir are averages for groups, no targets for ilka text nor a judgment o hou weel ye unnerstaund whit ye read. Meta-analysis

Test yersel (Inglis)
An open buik wi a fleein blue sphere an a white puzzle piece.

Bi the Helibrain teamLast checked

Key evidence an nummers

Adult silent readin in InglisEstimated averageRange gien for maist grown-ups
Non-fiction238 WPM175–300 WPM
Fiction260 WPM200–320 WPM

Soorce: abstract bi the authors, reportin 190 studies and 18,573 participants. The ranges describe readers; they are no confidence intervals nor pass marks.

Whit affects it?

The kind o text, wird length, age and readin in anither leid aa affect the comparison. The estimates for fiction and non-fiction shouldnae be mixed intae ae target; the review links the difference tae wird length. Meta-analysis

Gie the related free test a try

Readin speed test

Test yersel: readin speed (Inglis). Read for the meanin, and note the leid and kind o passage when ye compare results.

Test yersel (Inglis)

Common questions

Is this aboot readin aloud?

Naw. The feegurs abuin are aboot silent readin. Readin aloud is a different task.

Does finishin quicker prove better unnerstaundin?

Naw. A speed score by itsel disnae shaw that ye unnerstaund. Review o readin

Can Ah compare WPM atween leids?

Wirds dinnae cairry the same amoont o information in ilka leid. Thir Inglis estimates arena universal norms.

Sources

Cite this page: Whit is the average readin speed?. Helibrain. 2026. https://helibrain.com/sco/answers/average-reading-speed. CC BY 4.0.

← Explore mair answers